A man is in a stable condition in hospital after he was slashed with a knife in Litherland.

Police received reports of the assault, which took place near the roundabout at the junction of Moss Lane and Kirkstone Road North, at around 7.30pmlast night.

The 47-year-old victim, named locally as Sean O’Neil, is being treated for a wound to his neck.

His condition was described as critical but was changed to stable this morning.

One of Mr O’Neil’s neighbours described him as a “friendly” man that “everyone knows”, who is “always riding around on his bike”.

Merseyside Police and forensic at a scene on Kirkstone Road North, Litherland, Liverpool.

A number of temporary road closures - including around the Moss Lane roundabout - were put in place to allow investigations to take place but they had all been lifted by this morning.

Merseyside Police and forensics were still at the scene on Kirkstone Road North today.

As well as forensically examining a flat believed to be Mr O’Neil’s, a row of about five houses - along with a large proportion of the road in front of them - was cordoned off by the police.

A resident from one of the cordoned houses told the ECHO that police said she could leave her house but had to stay close to the pavement and not go on the road.

Merseyside Police and forensic at a scene on Kirkstone Road North, Litherland, Liverpool.

She said: “I think they found something outside the houses.”

She added that her son had been prevented from coming to visit her last night and that police had been knocking on doors to find out whether anyone had heard anything.

Detectives appealed to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who has any information which could help them with their inquiries to contact Sefton CID on 0151 777 3833, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.